Friday, March 27, 2015

I cannot believe how fast the time is passing by! I know March has not ended just yet, but it's almost April and I wanted to write a list and tell you all about the best products I bought/received this month. It was definitely a big month for me and my make-up collection, I received some awesome goodies and got my bonus at work which meant SHOPPING! I spent way more than I intended to, but that's ok, all in the name of beauty (is what I tell myself to make me feel better and less guilty!). Plus I get to write these awesome little posts and tell you all about it. Alright, get ready for quickie reviews of the products I am in love with and maybe you will like a few! In no particular order, here we go:

1. No.7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream

I talked about this product in my Skincare and Make-up Routine post a couple of weeks back (read here), and this is by far the best night cream I have ever used. It smells really good, leaves my dry skin feeling great and it dries in no time! I have been using this for a month or so now, not long at all, but I can already see results. It feels light on my skin and in the morning my face is not at all greasy, plus a little goes a long way. I bought this on sale at Boots (3 for 2 on N.7 products) which is still on I believe and I super recommend it if you have normal/dry skin like I do. It only costs £13.50, so I'd rather buy this than spend a ridiculous amount of money on a product that will give me the same result.

2. Profile Nail Polish Thinner

Ever used nail polish remover to revive old nail polish? I did! many many manyyyy times. The end result was always the same: ruined varnishes thrown in the bin. Using it for this purpose it's a big no-no! It makes the colour and finish very dull and we definitely don't want that. Don't judge me, but only recently did I find out that there was something called Nail Polish Thinner. I know it's been around for a long time, but I finally got me one of these and now all my polishes have a second chance at life (how poetic). This products works so well and I have been able to use my favourite colours again and again, a big yes-yes! I got mine on Amazon for like 5 bucks, so check it out here.

3. Essie Nail Varnish Duo

Speaking of nail polish, I got this super cute Limited Edition Gift set by Essie. The theme is "Royal Baby" and the set features 2 gorgeous colours, a baby pink:"Lovie Dovie"and of course, a baby blue: "Lapiz of Luxury". Check out my mani below:

The pink polish is like a perfect flamingo pink, very romantic and bright (a bit too bright for some people, but not me!) and the blue is like a dreamy ocean blue. Both super perfect for spring and I have literally been wearing them non-stop!

4. Dailus PRO Matte Liquid Lipsticks

These are by far THE best lipsticks I have ever tried and here's why:

1. The colours are highly pigmented, they give amazing coverage and are so versatile.

2. They really are matte (I hate when a product claims to be something it is not).

3. They are cheap (approx 5 quid).

4. These have such a good durability. I find that even after I've eaten something, the colour is still intact. Here are a few swatches so you can totally see what I am talking about when I say these are perfection:

Only problem is, they are only sold in Brazil and every month new shades seem to be coming out which is a bummer because no store does overseas delivery, so thank you Flávia for bringing these for me! BUT not all hope is lost yet! The lipsticks that in my opinion can compete with Dailus are these one here by Anastasia Beverly Hills. The colours are pretty awesome too and they are available online in the UK.

5. Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara

What it claims to do: "Our 1st Layer-Reveal Brush captures even the tiniest lashes and volumises the look of longer lashes for a layered, multiplied lash look". My verdict: I have had a few high end mascaras, yet this one manages to achieve the same great results at a fraction of the price! Here's a swatch of it:

The brush is amazing and separates every lash. The formula curls and lengthens my lashes in only 2 coats and I have people asking me if these are my real lashes! It doesn't flake, clump, fade or run down my face and the result are long, fluttery yet natural lashes. A great all rounder and definitely the best I have used in a long time.

6. Max Factor Colour Corrector Sticks

Or as my mother likes to call it, the "magic stick". This one comes in a variety of shades, but I purchased the yellow one and I have been loving it. The yellow one aims to to correct and perfect any tonal imperfections in your skin such as dark under eye circles, but if you have redness or blemishes that you wish to cover, check my guide for choosing the right colour here. There are some mixed reviews on this one, some people love it, some hate it.

I personally think this is a great product and even though the product is somewhat chalky this works well on me because I have oily under eyes. I blend it on before applying foundation and concealer. It's lightweight and comfortable, and invisible under the rest of my make up. Even though it's not the cheapest out there, I couldn't be happier, and I'll definitely be looking into trying the other shades too!

7. Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Not the cheapest and for a £11.99 brush I thought, this better be good. Guess what? It is. This is the best brush I have amongst the many (many, many) brushes I own. It blends foundation in really well and gives a lovely finish. The bristles are soft and easy to clean. It totally transforms the appearance of my foundation giving it a flawless finish. My face looks somewhat airbrushed as it blends perfectly, leaving no streaks behind (something I hate) so it's well worth the money! I personally use this for foundation as I said, but there are multiple different ways you can use it too, check out the original video by Real Techniques teaching us what we can do with it here.

8. Rimmel BB Cream 9 in 1

I have had no luck with BB creams in the past. They all just felt too creamy/watery and not at all covering. It doesn't help that I feel like BB creams should give me coverage like foundation does, so when I saw this at the supermarket for like £3, I didn't think much. I thought 9 properties was asking for too much: "primes, moisturises, minimizes pores, conceals, covers, smoothes, mattifies, brightens, and helps protect", yeah right!!!. But this stuff is amazing and I am in love. I use the light shade and it added just the right amount of colour to my skin without making me look orange. For the price it was an absolute bargain and I don't have to use loads to get a good coverage. Blends in easily, skin looks smooth and soft, and lightweight. I stand corrected, BB creams can be great! Do try it for yourself!

9. Simple Kind To Eyes Revitalising Eye Roll-On

When I see products like this, I usually don't bother, but when I saw it on sale at Boots I thought I'd give it a try. I now love this eye roll-on and is definitely something I will be purchasing again and again! I use this after removing my make up and it instantly cools my under eye area. It's not magic but it does reduce redness. It is really easy to apply and feels really light on my skin. I particularly like how it dries quickly and how much more awake I look after putting it on. I have been using this for a few weeks now and people have noticed how diminished my dark circles appear. Everything by Simple that I have tried in the past has won me over, this is not any different.

So these are the products I am in love with at the moment. Now I feel like I should write a post about the bad products I have come across too ( I have way too many of these!). What do you think? Wanna share a few of your favourites? Leave a comment below!

Friday, March 20, 2015

Today I want to show you a few hairstyles I like to do. I mostly do these for work and they are sosimple. Also, I like working with clean hair; I used Garnier Ultimate Blends- The Shine Revitaliser Shampoo and Conditioner. They leave my hair feeling ridiculously clean and just so shiny. Check them out here. Let's start!

1. The Double Ponytail

Step 1: Divide your hair as if you were doing a half-up look but you will want more hair in the top section. This will allow you to create more volume later on.

Step 2: The bottom section needs to be pulled into a ponytail too.

Step 3: Make sure both ponytails are even and that any bumps are smoothed out.

Step 4: You will now want to fluff the top ponytail to cover up the bottom one. I like curling my hair so this is even less obvious. And there you have it! A super long ponytail that will fool everyone!

2. The Knotted Braid

Step 1: Pull all of your hair to one side and divide it into two parts.

Step 2: Tie both pieces in a knot.

Step 3: Continue knotting to form your knotted braid and use an elastic to secure this in place. 3 easy steps and done!

3. The Fishtail Braided Doughnut Bun

Step 1: Make a high ponytail and pull it through a hair doughnut.

Step 2: Secure the doughnut in place and make sure it is covered by your hair.

Step 3: With the remaining hair, pull it to one side and start a fishtail braid.

Step 4: Once done, secure with an elastic, and wrap it around your doughnut bun. Secure in place with bobby pins. I added a cute headband for a more glamorous finish.

4. The Side Braided Bun

Step 1: Pull hair all to one side. Separate the hair into three pieces. Braid the pieces very loosely and secure the end.

Step 2: Roll your braid until you have formed a bun. This can be tricky. Take your time.

Step 3: Insert large bobby pins and add a little hair spray to secure the bun in place. So elegant and perfect for date night!

5. The Pull-Through "Braid"

Step 1: Pull hair into a side ponytail. Secure with a hair band.

Step 2: Separate the ponytail into 2 sections. On one of the sections, leave about 3 inches and add an elastic.

Step 3: Make a hole in the middle of this section, and pull through the other section.

Step 4: Once again move down 3 inches and place another elastic band. Repeat until you have done the remaining hair.

Step 5: To finish, fluff your entire braid to give it a fuller and prettier look. I like using this one on a casual day out!

6. The Double Braided Bun

Step 1: Divide hair into 2 sections and braid each of them. Secure each individual section with an elastic band.

Step 2: Pull both braids to the back and tie them in a knot. Keep doing so until you run out of hair.

Step 3: Remove the hair elastics from each braid end and tie the ends of the knot together.

Step 4: Twist the knots into a bun and use bobby pins to secure in place. You can add a cute little flower to cover up any bobby pins!

7. The Bow Bun

I must confess, this is the hardest for me. But hopefully with the below instructions yours will come out much better than mine.

Step 1: Gather all of your hair on the top of your head and make a very high ponytail.

Step 2: On the last pull through the elastic, do not pull your hair all the way through.

Step 4: Divide your loop into two halves and take the ends of your hair and fold it back through the space in your halves. This is the centre part of your bow. Secure it in place.

Step 5: Fluff up your bow by spreading out the loops.

8. The Twist Updo

Step 1: Choose a soft elastic headband or a scarf that goes around your entire head.

Step 2: Working in sections, wrap your hair around the headband and if necessary, use bobby pins to pin the ends in place as you go.

Step 3: Continue until all of your hair has been wrapped around the headband and voila! Super cute for spring, but I use this almost every day for another reason...continue reading!

9. Heatless Overnight Curls

Following from the above:

Step 1: Go to sleep with your hair wrapped around the headband.

Step 2: In the morning, unpin each section of your hair until hair is completely loose. It may be knotted in some parts, so gently run your finger through your new curls and shake them for more volume.

Step 3: Spray lightly with hairspray for curls that will last you all day. I swear by this one! A lot more "hair-friendly" than using heat everyday and I can literally do my hair in my sleep! Love! <3

10. The Turban Look

Step 1: Place your scarf against the back of your head.

Step 2: Bring the ends to the front and tie a knot in the middle of your forehead.

Step 3: Twist the ends once or twice, and bring the ends to the back of your head, where you should tie them up.

Step 4: Hide the ends of the scarf on the back and adjust the sides for a thicker turban. This was a big hit when I wore it for the first time. It is very different, and a little bit out there but perfect for a dirty hair day!

I hope you guys like these looks and that you try a few. Thanks for reading beauties!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

his weekend we get to celebrate a very special occasion: Mother's day! I am so excited because I get to spend the whole day with my mum and my family. Now, you know she will probably be expecting a nice little gift so why not give that special lady in your life something she’ll love this Mother's Day and make her so so feel special, after all she deserves it. Mothers are amazing women, who do everything and anything for us their children. They deserve to be told "I love you" everyday and perhaps with one of the following gifts this will be easier!

1.Mother and Daughter Make Over Photo Shoot

Photo by: asda-gifts.co.uk

Why not enjoy a stunning make-up session and hair styling, with fashion experts making you look fabulous. I would personally enjoy this one for myself but I am sure there are some hot mamas out there who secretly dream of posing to the camera and spending a day feeling like a celebrity. Plus you get to go away with awesome pictures to show off all over the internet and to your family members, super glam! Check it out here.

2. Home Accessories

Photo by: matalan.com

If your mummy literally has everything she needs, why not buy something she can proudly display at home? I love this huge wooden heart and on the back you can write a special message! I am very big on having a nicely decorated house and my love for Matalan is not at secret at all. Not only do they do nice clothes, their decor stuff is pretty AMAZING so if you have never check it out don't miss out on the awesome stuff they have. Check this specific one and similar home accessories here.

3. Accessories

Photo by: matalan.com

Spring is coming up (even though it certainly still feels chilly outside #LondonProblems), why not spice up your mum's wardrobe with a nice colourful scarf. Just because she looks "meh" all week running around the house, doesn't mean she can't look good on a weekend day out with the family! A nice scarf can certainly brighten up one's outfit this coming spring and this pastel green coloured one is to die for, after all pastels are a going to be a big hit this season,mark my words! Check this one here.

4. Chocolates

Photo by: prezzybox.com

Chocolate are always a crowd pleaser, they cure PMS, a bad mood, sugar cravings and even though your mum probably says she is on a diet, (which always starts on Monday, right mum?) these are sure to win her over. And I am sure she will be willing to share them, just make sure you don't eat them all when she is not looking. Buy here.

5. Handbags/Watches

Photo by: Michael Kors

If you are willing to spend a bit more, a designer handbag or watch are just perfection! My mum herself has constantly reminded all of us how pretty Michael Kors stuff is and how she would love to have one (of each I must add). Thankfully I have found a pretty good sale on Groupon and have employee discount at Goldsmiths. If you don't have either a nice handbag with no designer tag will surely be welcomed because it's the thought that counts and it came from you, the most special person in her world (hint to mother). Check the handbags here and watches here.

6. Pyjamas

Photo by: cathkidston.com

I particularly love Cathy Kidston and all of their flowery stuff and if I could afford I would make my mum's kitchen look like a page of their magazine but since I am not quite there yet in life *sob* you can never go wrong with a comfy set of pj's especially when it is this cute! Perfect for those lazy days where you want nothing else than stay in pj's all day (pretty much every day for me then). This is available here.

7. Jewellery

Photo by: mynamenecklace.co.uk

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend". Ok, so this isn't a diamond necklace, but it's the thought that counts, right?! My mum has a similar one and she loves it, I am sure yours truly will too! Check it out here where you can get a personalised necklace with your name (+ siblings). Love it!

8. Spa Day Out

Photo by: edinburghfloatarium.co.uk

Let's think outside the box for a second. Sometimes all your mother will need is a day to relax, after all she takes care of you, your siblings, your father (who doesn't know where anything is), she looks after the house, does the washing up, feeds the dogs-PHEWWW I am tired just thinking of it. Why not book a mini spa day for you and your special lady?! Not only will you two spend some quality time, but we are talking about facials, manicures, pedicures, massages-YES PLEASE!!! For a Relax Day for Two deal, see here.

9. DIY Coffee Mugs

by Emily Co

Little tight on money? Not a problem! Here is a simple idea that screams cuteness! All you will need is a white mug which you can easily buy in supermarkets or Ikea for less than £2 and colourful Sharpies. Show off your artistic skills by using your imagination and remind her every day of how much you love her whilst she is drinking her morning coffee.

10. Flowers

Photo by: moonpig.com

Flowers are special gifts that bring a smile to whoever receives them and even though they are simple, and can be inexpensive, they surely manage to touch someone's heart. For a few ideas, check this here.

I hope you like this list, and of course Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely mums out there!

Friday, March 6, 2015

If you are like me, you probably have a ton of products just sitting in your bathroom which are all meant to go on your face. I know it can be tricky to determine what to put on first, it surely took me long enough to actually start taking care of my skin, but after constant nagging from mommy I finally started and I am so glad I did. It took me a while to figure this all out but now I swear by my routine; my skin is now much smoother and healthier looking. Today I want to share with you what I do on a day-to-day basis. It makes my makeup stay in place, makes sure my skin is well nourished and as a result I get a more beautiful finish (and lots of compliments on my baby skin). All the products pictured are the actual products I use, they are all super accessible which is why I love them so much!

SKINCARE

1. Cleansers

Before we start slapping all sorts of things on our face it is very important that we have a clean canvas to work with. The first step is to use cleaning wipes and if you had any make up on, a make-up remover. These face cleansers are designed to clean away dirt (obviously), but it is important to remember that these affect the pH level of our skin. This is why the next step is very important, and a toner is what we need.

2. Toners

Toner helps to restore your skin pH levels. More benefits include the promotion of natural hydration, tightening effect on your pores and smoothness of your skin. On me, it works its magic by removing any dirt that was left behind; leaves my skin feeling so so clean!

3. Serum

Serums aren't cheap but if applied properly, it should last you several months. Serums are made of very small molecules, making your skin absorb the product quickly and deeply. I like using an anti-age one because of my forehead fine lines but also because it's very concentrated and I need all the moisture I can get. I wait for this to dry before using a day/night cream.

4. Moisturiser

Now that we have cleaned our skin and used a serum to moisturise the deeper layers, we need to protect it for our day. I like using a day cream before doing my makeup as it nourishes my dry skin and provides me with SPF15. It has the right amount of nutrition my skin needs to make it through the day. I repeat the whole process at night (ie. clean+serum) and then use a night cream. This replenishes and restores any vitamins I've lost during the day, which will be absorbed all night long.

MAKE--UP

1. Primer

Primer has changed my life and I am not even being dramatic about it. This particular one from Rimmel London leaves my skin feeling so silky but not at all oily. You can feel that it covers your pores pretty well and it has definitely made my makeup last much longer, without having to constantly do any touch ups throughout the day. It is also so cheap compared to other primers available in the market that there are no excuses for not using any.

2. Colour Correcting Concealer

This step is not necessary if you don't suffer from bad under eye circles; not my case. Thanks to my mother (love you mommy), I have inherited some pretty dark circles so I am constantly in the look out for better concealers, but these are the ones I actually like. Nyx HD Yellow concealer is by far my favourite out of the 2, but if you want to master the art of contouring I would totally recommend the palette too. I use a yellow one but here is a guide for choosing the right colour for you:

Neutral: For the lucky ones with no skin problems at all, just choose a shade similar or lighter to your skin tone.

3. Foundation

By this stage I look like Sponge Bob with yellow concealer all over my face. I wait for it to dry a little bit before applying foundation. I am currently using N.7 Stay Perfect Foundation and I am loving it! My shade is Warm Ivory (you can check what yours is at Boots) and it gives me medium-full coverage. I concentrate the product on my T-zone and with what is left on the brush I eventually cover all of my face. I don't need loads of it, just a drop and all done, ready for the next step.

4. Concealer

I like applying this concealer (colour Ivory) to highlight. This goes on my under eyes, inner and outer corners of eyes, under brow bone, down the middle of my nose and on its side, and in my cupid’s bow. Basically follow the chart here. After this step I like using the Real Techniques Stippling brush, as it gives a lovely airbrushed finish and eliminates the chances of streaky application.

5. Powder

To seal all of this "goodness" in and mattify my skin, I use a translucent powder. It makes me look less shiny and being "invisible", this can be used for any skin tone. I like this Collection one, which is super cheap BTW but does the job.

6. Bronzer

Before adding a bronzer, I look like a ghost. With foundation we have taken away all of our natural shadows, now it's time to add these back. To make it as simple as possible imagine a 3 on the sides of your face, like this here. This is where I lightly add bronzing powder (remember, don't go bronzer crazy, the orange look is not a good look for anyone!). This restores all the natural shadows AND makes you look slimmer- no kidding!

7. Blush

Blush makes you look healthy and I particularly love peach coloured ones. Make sure it's blended in well, we do not want 2 round stamps on our cheeks. Smile with your lips closed and apply product on the cheeks accentuated. Easy peezy!

8. Highlighter

I've said it before, highlighter is perfect to showcase where the shine would naturally be if the sun was hitting your face, so if applied correctly, it can give you a beautiful glowing look. I like applying it across my cheek bones and to the centre of the chin. You can also try doing this before applying the blush.

End Result:

This takes me approx. 10 mins every morning, and when I come home my make-up still looks fresh and is not running down my face.